Things To Do in Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County, Virginia Provided by Durant & Sandy Vick

Downtown Roanoke has a life unto itself. There are museums, art galleries, an open-air market, and many, many restaurants. Hotel Roanoke, in its classic Tudor style, hosts many weekend events.

There is a lot to do from the many events at the Center-on-the-Square to visiting the Railroad Transportation Museum or the forthcoming Roanoke Convention & Visitors Center in the renovated passenger train depot. Jefferson Center is close by and offers entertainment of all types. The Roanoke Civic Center and auditorium are across I-581 from the Hotel Roanoke. There are shows, conventions, and sporting events every weekend. In late summer/early fall, there are numerous weekends of fairs, exhibits, and special events throughout the Valley. Check out some of the planned events:

From downtown, you can see the Star over the city on Mill Mountain. Drive up and see the great view of the Valley to the northeast, northwest, and north. Supposedly, you can see for 75 miles on clear days. While you are there, visit the Mill Mountain Zoo.

If you head southeast from Roanoke for 20 miles, you arrive at Smith Mountain Lake. What a special part of the Valley! The lake is 20,000+ acres with over 500 miles of shoreline. With boating, skiing, fishing, and golf, the lake has become a major recreational area as well as a growing residential area. Sandy and I are available to assist you with information on services and homes at Smith Mountain Lake.

If you enjoy golf, the Valley has 252 holes of exciting golf on 14 different private, semi-private, and public courses. For tennis players, there are 61 public Roanoke city courts, 12 Salem courts, and 42 courts in Roanoke County. There are several private and semi-private tennis clubs with indoor and outdoor courts.

For campers, within a 50-mile radius of the Valley are more campsites than you can count. Roanoke Mountain Campground is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway within 3 miles of downtown Roanoke - facilities for RV's and tents.

The Roanoke Civic Center and the Salem Civic Center are the homes to many events, plays, conventions, and college and professional sporting events. Area colleges also have artistic events plus sporting activities. Just 25 miles away is Virginia Tech, which offers activities as all major universities including the national-rated football team.

If these activities are not enough, we have 2 YMCA's, 1 YWCA, and 2 private health clubs (RAC & BAC). For the outdoors, we also have local or within a short drive hiking (famous Appalachian Trail crosses the county), trout fishing, stripper fishing at Smith Mountain Lake, public and private swim clubs, bicycling, skiing, caving, and the many other outdoor events that make the mountains a special place to live. There are several wineries within a short drive with tours and tastings.

A classic, scenic drive is only several miles from downtown on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Roanoke is the only major city on the 469-mile corridor that climbs from valleys to mountain crest from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park in North Carolina. Located just off the Parkway at Milepost 115, you can spend the day at the Virginia Explore Park. The Valley's history is highlighted with a walking tour of real villages plus there are 6 miles of walking, jogging, and cycling trails. Don't miss Brugh Tavern, a 200-year-old operating restaurant, while there.

If you drive north on the Parkway for an hour, you arrive at the Peaks of Otter. The Peaks offers accommodations without phones or televisions and a great restaurant. The lake is beautiful especially after you hike (or take the bus) to the top of one of three peaks. Within the area, you can also have easy day trips to George Washington and Jefferson National Forests - more than 700,000 protected acres.

Hiking in the Roanoke Valley

What a blessing the Valley offers if you like to hike. Roanoke is the largest city on the Blue Ridge Parkway and has four Roanoke area exits. Almost every lookout point on the Parkway also has a hiking trail. Here are a few close to Roanoke:

Milepost

Trail

Mileage

Difficulty

114.9

Roanoke River Trail

.35

Easy

120.4

Roanoke Mountain Summit Trail

.11

Moderate

120.5

Chestnut Ridge Trail

1.75

Moderate

121.4

Roanoke Valley Horse Trail

18.5

Moderate

123.2

Buck Mountain Trail

.53

Moderate

A good day trip is to drive to the Peaks of Otter at MP 86, enjoy their many trails and survey the nice facilities at the lodge. A special seafood buffet is a weekend treat and a favorite of many.

One of the special opportunities for hikers in the Roanoke Valley is the access to the Appalachain Trail that runs through the northern portion of the Valley, across Highway 220 N @ I-81 and then parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Roanoke. Between Roanoke (MP 120) to where the Parkway cross I-64 at Waynesboro and becomes the Skyline Drive, the Appalachain Trail crosses the Parkway 24 times. You can also sign on as a member of the Roanoke Appalachain Trail Club (www.ratc.org) and participate in weekly group hikes throughout the region as well as work as a volunteer to keep the Appalachain Trail as a natural wonder. I enjoy being a member of the Roanoke Appalachain Trail Club.

For your enjoyment, try some of the below hiking experiences:

Dragon's Tooth Trail on Cove Mountain at Roanoke/Craig County line off Highway 311 - 10 miles north of Roanoke/Salem (I-81, Exit 140). Interesting rock formation with excellent views with many peaks. 2.6 miles. No facilities on trail. Part of hike is on the Appalachian Trail - more difficult.

McAfee Knob is the Appalachain Trail's poster and postcard image. For the braveheart, you can sit with your legs hanging off the rock formation at the top. Parking is just off Highway 311 about 7 miles from I-81. You will be on the Appalachain Trail for the 3.5 mile moderate to strenuous hike (7 mile round trip). Expect a lot of fellow hikers if the weather is nice. You can descend by a loggin road which is a little easier. You can also hike to McAfee from Highway 220 north (about 16 miles).

Roaring Run Trail in Botetourt County is a 1.5 mile loop by cascading streams and scenic waterfalls. There is a standing pre-civil war iron ore furnace. Vault toilets are available. It is an easy hike. Take exit 150 from I-81, go north on US 220, left on 615, then right on 621.

Patterson Mountain Trail is a system of 5 trails from 1.0 mile to 6.5 miles in length. You start with the Patterson Mountain Trail for one mile which ascends steeply up Patterson Mountain. At the top you can divert to the Tucker, Helms, or Elmore trails. There are great views and an assortment of hardwoods and pines. It is considered a more difficult hike. You reach Patterson Mountain Trailhead by I-81, Exit 150 North, to Fincastle on Highway 220. Left on 606 for 8.8 miles, right on 612, go .3 mile to 184, then 1.6 miles to trailhead.

Hoop Hole Trail has easy to most difficult parts. You reach Hoop Hole by I-81/Exit 150, north on 220, past Eagle Rock. Turn left on 615 for 8 miles to trailhead. This is a loop trail or you can transfer to the Roaring Run Trail (see above). Elevations reach 3700 feet with good views. Hiking in deer season is not recommended.

The Cascades is a hike for every area hiker. Great picnic area so it can be a full day adventure. You reach the Cascades by going south from Roanoke on I-81 to 460 exit in Blacksburg. Go west on 460 to Pembroke where you turn east on 623 for 4 miles. The hike is a 4 mile loop trail through the Little Stoney Creek Gorge to the 66 foot Cascades Waterfall. You ascend on stone steps through birches, hemlocks and rhododendrons. It is an easy hike. Especially pretty in the snow but sometimes slippery. Take your camera!

Ferrier Trail/Lick Branch Loop in Craig County. Drive 311 North to New Castle, turn right on 615, right on 616. At 690 crossing, turn right on 182. At end of 182, take right fork (5026). You have choice of Ferrier Trail which provides good views of Craig Creek Valley and Potts Mountain or Lick Branch which offers a cool, refreshing walk, especially in Summer. The loop is 7 miles. Easy hike ... but beware in deer season.

Belfast Trail offers many opportunities to do and see a number of exciting things. The 2.8 mile trail is through the James River Face Wilderness. You have elevation changes of 1600 feet so it is considered more difficult. You intersect with the Appalachain Trail in the Hickory area. Going northbound, you go to the James River. The most exciting venture is the Devil's Marbleyard, a large scenic outcrop of loose boulders with excellent views of Arnold Valey and the Thunder Ridge Wilderness. Exit I-81 at Natural Bridge. Turn on 130 to South on 759. Go 3.2 miles to 781, turn left for 1.3 miles to start of trail.

Very Local Hiking

A gem to the Roanoke Valley is the Roanoke River. Construction is ongoing to have a Greenway from Salem's Green Hill Park to Vinton (about 16 miles). Portions of the Greenway are complete in Salem, in the Wasena Park area, east by Carilion Memorial Hospital, and in the Hamilton Terrace Area.

Throughout the city, county and Salem are a number of other trails. The following are great for quick, relaxing outdoor activities:

Lick Run Greenway - Hotel Roanoke (downtown) to Valley View Mall - 3 miles paved.

Mill Mountain & Star Trail - Access from downtown Roanoke. Greenway is 3.5 miles paved and 1.7 natural surface.

Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail is a 1.7 mile cinder surface, starting at the Orange Market (Rt. 419 to Rt. 311).

Murray Run Greenway is a 2.8 mile trail from Raleigh Court School to Virginia Western Community College.

Tinker Creek Greenway is a 1 mile tract along Tinker Creek through Fallon Park until Tinker Creek enters the Roanoke River.

Will Creek Greenway is located in Vinton. It is 2.5 mile walk from Hardy Road to Stonebridge Park behind William Byrd High School on and to the Blue Ridge Parkway.